Vanessa Angel Bio: Husband, Age, Daughter, Height, Net Worth, Parents, Movies & TV Shows, Clothing Line

Vanessa Madeline Angel, is an English actress and former model, best known for her role as Lisa, the computer-generated genie, in the television series Weird Science (1994–1998) and as Claudia in the Farrelly brothers’ film Kingpin (1996).

Discovered as a teenager by a modeling agent, she graced the covers of Vogue and Cosmopolitan before transitioning to acting with her debut in Spies Like Us (1985).

Her career spans film, television, and guest roles in series like Stargate SG-1 and Californication, complemented by her entrepreneurial venture, the clothing line VANE LA, launched in 2009.

Profile

• Full Name: Vanessa Madeline Angel
• Stage Name: Vanessa Angel
• Born: 10 November, 1966
• Age: 58 years old
• Birthplace: London, England
• Nationality: British-American
• Occupation: Actress, Former Model
• Height: 1.73 m
• Parents: Peter Angel, Elizabeth Angel
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Rick Otto (m. 1996–2019)
• Children: India Otto
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $3 million

Early Life and Education

Vanessa Madeline Angel was born on November 10, 1966, in London, England, to Peter Angel, a stockbroker, and Elizabeth Angel, a housewife.

Growing up in the Harrow area of London, she developed an early love for performing, particularly on stage, though she initially did not envision a career in entertainment.

At 14, she was discovered by a modeling agent from Select Model Management in a London café, leading to her signing with Ford Models at 16 and relocating to New York City.

Details about her formal education are limited, but she balanced modeling assignments in London, Paris, and Milan while managing her academics.

She later honed her acting skills with Sondra Lee and joined The Actor’s Studio in New York in 1987, studying under Frank Corsaro.

Her ethnicity is English, and her religious beliefs are not publicly disclosed.

Career

Vanessa Angel began her career as a model, appearing on the covers of Vogue and Cosmopolitan and securing a contract as the “Diet Pepsi Girl.”

Her acting debut came at 18 with a role as a Soviet soldier in the 1985 comedy Spies Like Us, directed by John Landis, who cast her after seeing her modeling photos.

She also appeared in the film’s Paul McCartney music video.

Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, she took small roles in films like King of New York (1990) as a bodyguard and Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992) as a flight attendant, while guest-starring on TV shows such as The Equalizer (1988), Baywatch (1991), and Melrose Place (1993) as a bisexual supermodel.

Her breakthrough came in 1994 when she landed the lead role of Lisa in Weird Science, a USA Network series based on the 1985 film, playing a computer-generated genie for five seasons until 1998.

In 1995, she was cast as Xena in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys but had to withdraw due to illness, with the role going to Lucy Lawless.

During Weird Science, she starred as Claudia in the Farrelly brothers’ Kingpin (1996) alongside Woody Harrelson, earning praise from critic Roger Ebert for her comedic performance.

Other notable film roles include Kissing a Fool (1998) with David Schwimmer, Made Men (1999), The Perfect Score (2004) with Scarlett Johansson, and SuperBabies: Baby Geniuses 2 (2004) as Scott Baio’s wife.

Angel’s television work includes a recurring role as Detective Peggy Elliott on Reasonable Doubts (1991–1993) and a three-episode stint on Stargate SG-1 (2000) as Anise/Freya, a Tok’ra archaeologist.

She played herself in Entourage (2005) and guest-starred as Alison in Californication (2012).

Her later roles include TV movies like Criminal Intent (2005), Planet Raptor (2007), and My Summer Prince (2016), and films such as Blind Ambition (2008), Hall Pass (2011) with the Farrelly brothers, Lycan (2017), Trouble Sleeping (2018), and Merry Ex-Mas (2022).

In 2019, she played Dr. Lewis in the series Crown Lake and Jackie in Sons of Thunder (2019–2020).

Angel launched her clothing line, VANE LA, in 2009, selling in top Los Angeles boutiques like Ron Herman and Belle Gray.

She remains active, with recent convention appearances like Walker County Comic Con (2024).

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @realvanessaangel
• Facebook Handle: Vanessa Angel

Personal Life

Vanessa Angel married actor Rick Otto in 1996, introduced by her Weird Science co-star Lee Tergesen.

They have a daughter, India Otto, born March 10, 2001, who is a college basketball player for the USC Trojans Women’s team.

Angel and Otto divorced in 2019 but continue to co-parent India.

As of 2025, Angel is single and has not been linked to new relationships.

Filmography

• Spies Like Us (1985) – Soviet Soldier
• King of New York (1990) – Bodyguard
• Killer Instinct (1991) – Lead
• Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992) – Flight Attendant
• Sleep with Me (1994)
• Kingpin (1996) – Claudia
• Kissing a Fool (1998)
• Made Men (1999)
• Sabretooth (2002) – TV Movie
• The Perfect Score (2004)
• SuperBabies: Baby Geniuses 2 (2004)
• Criminal Intent (2005) – TV Movie
• Blind Ambition (2008)
• Endless Bummer (2009)
• Hall Pass (2011)
• Lycan (2017)
• Trouble Sleeping (2018)
• Behind the Walls (2018)
• Crown Lake (2019) – Dr. Lewis (Series)
• Sons of Thunder (2019–2020) – Jackie (Series)
• Merry Ex-Mas (2022)
• Sins of the Preacher’s Wife (2023)

Net Worth

Vanessa Angel has an estimated net worth of $3 million USD.

Her wealth is derived from her acting career, including lead roles in Weird Science and Kingpin, and her modeling work with brands like Diet Pepsi.

Additional income comes from her clothing line, VANE LA, and guest appearances in TV and film.